Release Information

U.S. Census Bureau workers will
swap pencils and clipboards for handheld computers beginning April 24
in the next phase of its 2004 Census Test in Georgia's Colquitt,
Thomas and Tift counties.

During the nonresponse follow-up operation, census workers will use the
handheld computers to collect information from households that did not
return their questionnaires by mail. The enumerators will enter respondents'
answers to the census test questions in the computers and submit completed
questionnaires electronically to Census Bureau headquarters in Suitland,
Md.

Using these methods is designed not only to improve productivity, but
also to reduce the high cost of paper questionnaires in the follow-up
phase.

"The biggest change in how we conduct this part of the test is
the use of the handheld computers," said Atlanta Regional Director
James F. Holmes. "The census workers visiting homes will not have
paper maps, paper lists or paper questionnaires.

The Census Bureau will apply security measures such as electronic barriers,
encryption and dedicated telephone lines to protect respondents'
information. In addition, every Census Bureau worker takes an oath of
confidentiality. If a census worker shares information that could identify
a person or household with anyone outside the Census Bureau, that worker
faces a maximum of five years in jail and a $250,000 fine.

Census Bureau officials ask that residents of the test area cooperate
with census workers who visit their homes to obtain the information needed
to complete the census questionnaire.

"During the field test, the Census Bureau will hire workers from
the test communities to do the kind of detailed work needed to ensure
that each household has an opportunity to participate in the 2004 Census
Test," Holmes said. "They will carry easily recognizable,
official identification cards and an official Census Bureau tote bag."

This and future census tests are critical to ensuring a more cost-effective
and accurate
2010 Census. For the Census Bureau to do a better job in the next census,
it needs to find out now what works best in communities across the nation.